EI4FMG is back on air.

The computer on EI4FMG was locked up after an automatic update, the computer has been restarted and it should run normally again..

This happens every now and then, to fix all that is needed is to plug out and back in the computer, as this is not at my house I will need the site manager (Brian EI9GTB) to be free,  the next time I am up there I will plug in a timer and get the computer to turn off for about an hour each night between 5am and 6am, this should mean that the next time it locks up it should sort itself out by being shut down and turned back on..

HB9CV for 4m.

A year or so ago I bought the HB9CV from Moonraker, The antenna was easy to put together, but the instructions are not very clear, you have to work out yourself how to fix the driven element. Inside the terminal box is an air spaced 'beehive trimmer' - not seen one of these for years! The trimmer is used to tune the antenna to obtain best SWR. This I found quite straight forward. This antenna has a rear mounting bracket, which is fine, but the supplied clamp was poor and even when fully tightened the antenna keeps dipping down. The extension rods have to be tightened with the screws fitted, I still don't understand why this kit has extension rods, why couldn't they make it all in one piece?

The antenna is nice and light and will work well either as a base antenna or as a portable antenna, these antennas are of reasonable price but I have included measurements and a link to the “HB9CV” calculator site.

HB9CV Calculator.

World Amateur Radio Day 2013.

Each year the IARU Administrative Council selects a theme for World Amateur Radio Day (WARD) for the following year.  WARD takes place each year on April 18.  At the November, 2012 Administrative Council meeting the AC adopted the following proposal:  "The theme 'Amateur Radio:  Entering Its Second Century of Disaster Communications' was adopted for the next World Amateur Radio Day, April 18, 2013."

The selected theme for 2013 is an excellent opportunity for amateur radio emergency communications or disaster communications groups to take advantage of the WARD to highlight the role amateur radio plays in disaster communications and disaster response.  IARU member-societies could arrange amateur radio demonstrations in public places such as parks or shopping areas.  Prepared hand outs could explain the benefits of amateur radio in times of emergency or disaster.  A ham radio demonstration in public areas usually generates inquiries and questions from the public about amateur radio and it also provides a great opportunity to attract new ham radio operators.  If you plan on such a demonstration, don't forget to include some young people from your society so that young people who happen by the demonstration can see that amateur radio activity can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
In 2013, April 18 is a weekday.  However, that doesn't prevent the public activity from taking place on the weekend before or after April 18.  The idea is to gain as much exposure and publicity for amateur radio as possible.

If anybody is interested in participating or may have an idea for a location please contact the AREN team on the following email address:  arennortheast@gmail.com.